http://livingchildren.com/blog discussions on eLearning methods, Flash development and interactive design Wed, 19 Dec 2007 02:27:22 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Upfront planning and design considerations can be intimidating to some. It is very difficult to design visuals when you don’t have content, and tough to set the mood for a story that might not exist yet. The process of planning ahead for design and functionality changes down the road can be ... http://livingchildren.com/blog/2007/12/19/planning-ahead-for-future-design-issues/ It always happens at the worst possible moment, doesn’t it? You’re booked solid, working 10 hour days, borderline zombie, and the program you use the most starts acting funny for no reason, and apparently no one else in the world has ever shared the same problems (or so Google tells ... http://livingchildren.com/blog/2007/12/06/adobe-flash-audio-problems-and-solutions/ I had an interesting discussion with a client yesterday about project direction and process, and there was some open debate on how to develop an interaction to not only meet a tight budget, but fulfill some broad goals. Is there a best method, or does every project deserve to flex ... http://livingchildren.com/blog/2007/11/30/elearning-development-and-project-process/ I had established in this earlier post that attaining a clearly defined goal is important. The following are some common problems that can not only detract from the clarity or success of your goal, but even cause your users to retain little or no information. Problem 1: You know the goal ... http://livingchildren.com/blog/2007/11/25/how-complexity-killed-the-elearning-course/ A goal is a clearly stated word, phrase or description of what you hope to achieve through your eLearning course. Without a goal or goals, users can quickly misinterpret the reasoning behind your course. They may ask themselves “Why am I taking this course?” “What was I supposed to be ... http://livingchildren.com/blog/2007/11/15/why-your-project-needs-a-goal/ I'd like to announce the launch of our updated portfolio section. Previously I had on display only informal learning samples and animations, but I've gathered up some corporate eLearning samples to create a separate portfolio section. Corporate eLearning has always been the meat of my business, but you wouldn't know that ... http://livingchildren.com/blog/2007/11/09/new-portfolio-section-online/ If I think of eLearning as a means to immerse my students or employees in a topic, why wouldn’t I use it for all situations? For starters, eLearning, and especially the higher-end eLearning courses take a lot of time, energy and money to produce. eLearning is not meant to override ... http://livingchildren.com/blog/2007/11/08/elearning-solutions-for-different-situations/ The most exciting prospect of eLearning is the ability to produce nearly any dangerous, or complex situation and provide access to anyone who has the skill to click a mouse. There really was nothing like the time I had a fashion major friend of my wife user test the Virtual ... http://livingchildren.com/blog/2007/11/07/using-simulations-in-elearning/ When you think of eLearning, what comes to mind? Is it a technological advancement created to rid the world of teachers and the traditional classroom environment? Is it a term you use in your job description to impress parents and colleagues? I have spent the last ten years creating educational content ... http://livingchildren.com/blog/2007/11/06/elearning-what-is-it/ One thing I’ve noticed over the last couple of years user testing eLearning activities with kids, is that the present adults tend to underestimate their kid’s abilities. I’ve watched adults play through the same activity and become hopelessly lost or stuck, not because the activity was broken, but more like ... http://livingchildren.com/blog/2007/11/05/6/